Wood 1021 Wood Refinishing: More Before & After Pictures

We are wrapping up really fast, and a lot of great furniture is being turned out by the students. I just wanted to share some more of the work.

This bamboo chair came it in rough shape, as you can see! But some great work and a little shellac, and we've got a beautiful little side chair.

Here is a picture of a Mission Library Table that had an ink spill on the top. With a little artistry and skill, the ink stain has been removed from sight. a little shellac and some spot repair, and this table is set for another 100 years.

Students return to Fort Snelling for more conservation work

We took another field trip to the Fort Snelling Chapel today, where the students could see how their work held up since their last visit (very well, I might add!) and get back to work on this historic building.
Today we looked at some solvent testing, went through all the steps we've learned in school and developed a cleaning and re-coating schedule, then followed through on it!
All the students felt confident taking on new challenges in a real-life setting.

Wood 1010 Wood and Finishing Technology: Sample Boards

In our 1st class back from winter break, we hit the ground running! The students have studied our 2 main text books, and we do some intense lecturing about solvents, coloring agents and coatings, as well as different means and methods of applying these things. Then we put this knowledge into action by finishing 10 different boards with 10 different finishing schedules.

We spray and brush lacquer, spray, brush and pad shellac, we brush varnish, we shoot gloss & satin, we do open pored finished, and closed pore "piano" finishes. We color strike pores, we stain, dye, glaze, distress, tone and shade. and we dabble a bit with water base finishes as well.

This intensive 3 week section is full of learning, and getting to experience what tools we have as finishers and what their benefits and challenges are.

Wood 1019 Spot Repair II: DCTC Vists HOM Furniture

HOM Furniture employs several NIWF graduates. Today we are going on a working field trip to learn about the life of Spot Repair Technitions in the warehouse. The day was full of learning new techniques and the students having a chance to use their new skills of wood, leather and vinyl repair.

Wood 1019 Spot Repair II: Large Damage to Wood

Wood 1019 Spot Repair:

This class instucts students how to repair large damaged areas of wood. Polyester fills are one of many methods of returning the damaged areas to their original shape. They must then have a faux finish applied which color matching and inpainting.

Wood 1012 Color Theory: A color matching class.

The first class of the year is Wood 1012 Color Theory. In this class we discuss the terminolgy of the artist, and then complete a series of laboratory sessions at their benches to put the theory to practice. The photo shows a number of panels that each studentis required to duplicate.

Short term Wood Finishing Classes

Here is the DCTC summer session classes for 2009. Please go to http://www.woodfinishing.org/ for detailed information on each class, registration and housing.

Color Matching: $465.00
June 29th – 30th 2009
Instructor: Mitch Kohanek

Introduction to Spot Repair: $465.00
July 1st – 2nd 2009
Instructor: Mitch Kohanek

Restoration, Chemistry and Technology of Transparent Furniture Coatings: $750.00
July 7th – 10th 2009
Instructors: Donald C. Williams, Mitch Kohanek

Hands on Finishing: $750.00
July 13th – 17th 2009
Instructor: Mitch Kohanek

Advanced Finishing: $750.00
July 20th – 24th 2009
Instructors: Greg Johnson, Mitch Kohanek

Spraying Equipment and Techniques: $465.00
July 27th – 28th 2009
Instructors: David Smith, Mitch Kohanek

Piano Grain Filled Finish: $465.00
July 29th – 30th 2009
Instructors: Kevin Hancock, Mitch Kohanek